S.Atlantic : Sartma Daily (12/11/05)
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Juanita Brock) 15.11.2005 (Article Archived on 22.11.2005)
A brief run-down of South Atlantic news
SARTMA DAILY (12/11/05)
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
CONTENTS:
Section 1: Articles by FINN
Calling the Falklands Article
Section 2: Election News
Section 3: Announcements
Section 1:
SOLEMN SERVICE FOR 11/11
By J. Brock (FINN)
A small Memorial service was held at the Liberation Monument at 1102 hrs on Friday, 11 November 2005. After the two minute silence marked by the saluting guns on Victory Green, Rev Fr Peter Norris officiated at the service, which included prayers and the readings: Acts 10: 34-36, 42 – 43, Psalm 62:2-6, 8-9, Romans 8: 31-35, 37-39 and John: 6:37-40.
In his homily Fr Norris mentioned that prior to the 1982 conflict names on memorials meant little more than a brief thank-you for freedoms enjoyed today. However, some people he knew during his life in the Navy had given their lives during the 1982 Conflict and names on memorials brought the true meaning of the sacrifice home to him.
“Amazing Grace” was sung and bidding prayers read as well as the “Our Father.” The service ended with “They Shall Not Grow Old..”
Attending the service were approximately 25 members of the public including members of the Royal British legion. Wreaths were laid by visiting veterans from SAMA’82, as well as one from a next of kin and one for the Legion.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY OBSERVED IN THE FALKLANDS
By J. Brock (FINN)
A Service of Remembrance was held at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, 13 November 2005.After the arrival of CBSAI, Commodore Ian Moncrieff and Mrs. Moncrieff and H. E. the Governor and Mrs Pearce, the Rev. Paul Sweeting, of the Cathedral welcomed everyone including Members of SAMA’82 and their carers. “Your presence here with is certainly very special.” He said.
“Oh God our help in ages past,” was sung after the welcome. Introductory prayers were by the Rev. Ken Newton from the Seamen’s Mission. “Thine Be the Glory,” was sung before prayers for Remembrance and the Roll of Honour read by former Councillor Mike Summers. Confession and prayer was lead by Monsignor Michael McPartland. Bidding prayers were read by Rev. Kathy Biles of Christ Church Cathedral.
“Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer” was sung before the first reading, Psalm 98 by H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce.
THE SERMON BY THE REV. PAUL SWEETING:
“I once knew a man who was at my last Church before coming to the Falkland Islands. He is called Arthur and he is retired. I remember that he always used to wear this blazer to Church with some kind of badge on it but I never really noticed. One year I was looking for someone to lay the wreath at the Remembrance Sunday Service and I remembered the badge on Arthur’s blazer. So, I called around to ask him about it. It turns out that he had been in the ‘Air Landing Brigade’ in the Second World War – a forerunner of the Paras. That was the badge on his blazer. So, I asked him about it all.
Arthur wasn’t someone who talked about it very much but we had got to know each other well and he was happy to satisfy my curiosity. He told me about the Rhine crossing in 1945 during Operation Varsity, with Canadian, American and British airborne troops. Five hundred and forty Dakota Aircraft carried 12 Parachute Battalions. Those were followed by 1300 gliders. The push to speed progress in the war was huge. And, these troops made that audacious move and dropped directly into enemy territory.
Germans expected the attack and were ready for them. And, in amongst all of that was Arthur. He was in one of the 1300 gliders. Arthur was part of the motorised forces so he was in the glider with other men and a jeep. He was there when it landed and smashed into a tree. He was the only man to get out of that glider alive.
As he told me all of this, he slowed to a stop and stared down at the pattern on his carpet. In the silence I knew he was not there with me in that room but he was back in that glider.
We are here today to remember people like Arthur. Many of us have never been in a situation like him and some of us have. But whether we have or whether we haven’t, we are united today because we want to honour what people like Arthur did for people like you and me. We want to honour them and we want to remember them.
And, we want to remember what was done for these Islands in 1982. People here want to remember and never to forget. We want to remember those who served in the air, on the land, on the sea and under the sea -thousands of individual stories like Arthur’s.
That psalm we just heard speaks of remembering God and remembers the salvation and hope that he offers. It’s easy to miss but it also speaks of God’s remembering. It says that he remembers his love and faithfulness. That’s not to say that God’s forgetful and has to keep reminding himself. It’s to say that, like us, God wants to remember.
And finally, that psalm reminds us that the story of this world is not over. It reminds us that the broken beauty of our lives and of our world is not the end of the story. It is the middle. It reminds us that people with pain like Arthur and thousands like him feel is not the final end of man or women.
Instead, it leaves us with this – a final reminder – that God will come to the world and the people that he has made to bring his love and faithfulness. And, yes, his judgment because though he seems to delay, though he seems too long healing and justice, still he will come because he remembers and will not forget.
He remembers His love, His faithfulness, just like today we remember and honour people like Arthur, who served and fought and fell.
Today we are united in remembering not just with one another but united with God, whose remembering will bring healing and hope to thousands yet unborn.”
Rev. Sweeting then prayed that we would remember with true honesty and that we would give honour and thanks for people who are prepared to pay the price, though it be ever so high. And, “we wait for your love and your justice to be seen in your world.” He concluded.
The National Anthem was sung and acts of commitment, lead by Rev. Ken Newton, were then pledged and this was followed by the hymn, “Now Thank We All Our God.”
A collection was taken in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Rev. Sweeting then gave the final blessing.
After the service the FIDF, a contingent of Naval Personnel as well as one from MPA marched to the Cross of Sacrifice where the youth organisations had formed up. There were Sea and Marine Cadets as well as Girl Guides and Scouts.
In windy and rainy weather, a brief service took place at the Cross of Sacrifice that included a two-minute silence started by Victory Green’s Saluting Guns. The Last Post and Reveille were played and wreaths laid by H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce as well as Commodore Moncrief and representatives for FIG, the service organisations and others.
PTSD INCREASES AS MILITARY HOSPITALS CLOSE
A Report for BBC World Service “Calling the Falklands” by Ben Koen (BK) 11/11/05
Over two decades on it appears the Falklands War has claimed another victim. Michael Quinn died in June of a drug overdose after suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Mr. Quinn was a former gunner in the Royal Artillery and had witnessed the gunning of the Sir Galahad. The Coroner, John Hughes had recorded an open verdict and he said that Michael had been exposed to the most terrible privations of war. Before his death, however, the consensus of opinion was that Mr. Quinn’s condition had generally improved. This was thanks to his treatment in Ty Gwyn, a nursing home for servicemen suffering from PTSD in North Wales. Ironically Ty Gwyn has closed in the last two weeks. That’s alongside a number of changes in the way the treatment and care is administered for ex-servicemen in the UK. I spoke earlier to Dr. Morgan O’Connell (MO), who worked as a consultant psychiatrist in the Falklands Conflict, who has been a pioneer in the treatment of people with PTSD. I started by asking about this term, PTSD and how it’s understood now-a-days.
MO: Unfortunately, the very nature of PTSD seems to be changing almost on an annual basis, which rather muddies the waters. If you have a traumatic childbirth or a major coronary incident you are now said to have the possibility of summering from PTSD. And we feel that’s rather muddied the waters, certainly as regards to people who have been caught up in major disasters including war.
BK: Now Mr. Quinn did actually receive help from the Ty Gwyn, which is now closed, but there have been quite a few changes in how help for former servicemen is administered in the UK, isn’t there?
MO: There is less help available to the ex- servicemen now than there was 20 years ago – shortly after the Falklands Conflict. With the closure of the Defence Medical Services Hospitals, such as the Defence Naval Hospital at Hasler, the Royal Air Force Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. It’s only laterally that the Government has begun to recognise that the NHS is not uniquely placed at all to manage the specific difficulties of the ex-service communities to deal with their mental health issues. Hopefully, with that recognition they may well be able to examine again what should be done for its servicemen, particularly, given the work that is done by the charity. And, I refer especially to the Ex-Servicemen’s Mental Welfare Society - Combat Stress.
BK: In your opinion, with all this restructuring happening, are you unhappy with the amount of help available to ex servicemen in these sorts of situations?
MO: I have never really been happy with the fact they shut down Military Hospitals – not just for Mental Psychiatric but right across the board. Just trying to get access to an orthopaedic surgeon for an ex serviceman with problems associated as a consequence of having served means that you really have a three or four-year waiting time. If you are struggling also at the same time with psychological problems, the two compound each other and the incidence of morbidity amongst ex-servicemen is correspondingly higher.
BK: Now, you are a consultant psychologist to the Group, Combat Stress, which are in fact a charity. How do you feel about the idea that stress suffered by former servicemen actually being dealt with in the charitable sphere rather than by National Health?
MO: The illness experienced by Servicemen of a psychiatric nature as a consequence of having served their country should be treated properly. And, with the best will in the world, our resources as a charity are very limited. For example, we don’t have hospital status. We have nursing home status, which means we are very limited in the people we can admit. We can’t admit them in an acute situation and many of them present as being acutely ill and require access to the whole range of medical services, which unfortunately a charity would have great difficulty in providing. We are all told, on a regular basis, how wonderful the NHS is. Well, sadly, in the matter of psychiatric it is not the case at all, particularly when it comes to catering for the needs of ex servicemen who are psychiatrically ill.
BK: How serious is the situation? How serious is the short-fall in help at the moment? And, what are the consequences?
MO: It is very serious if only because of the difficulty of getting help for those people who are seriously ill and need urgent attention in the NHS as a whole, to get access to a consultant psychiatrist. You have to be psychotic and a danger to yourself and to others. If you are suffering from one of the neurotic illnesses, which would include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and, a large part of depression and alcoholism, then your waiting time is probably in the order of months, certainly.
BK: Does this mean possibly that lives are at risk?
MO: They are at risk because of the waiting time.
KB: So what do you think needs to be done?
MO: It’s very easy for me to pontificate. I don’t have the limitations of the Government purse. But certainly looking to the needs of ex servicemen – those people who suffered as a consequence of serving their country – there should be no question at all that they should have the highest priority in the land as regards accessing a scarce resource.
Section 2:
ELECTION NEWS
THE RADIO ADDRESS OF JOHN BIRMINGHAM
I am standing for re-election to the Legislative Council of the Falkland Islands because I want to be part of the continuing development of these Islands – both economically and as a society. I say the Falkland Islands, because no matter which constituency a councillor gets voted on to represent; in the end that councillor is part of the Falkland Islands Government and is making decisions that affect all of the Islands.
I first came to these Islands in 1974 and have long considered them to be my home.
The next council’s number one priority has to be security. The military presence at Mount Pleasant and around the Islands which we all appreciate is only part of the picture.
If re-elected I would support the continuation of the previous council’s policy of being firm in the face of increasing Argentine pressure whilst at the same time not shooting ourselves in the foot by denying visits to the cemetery by Argentine next of kin.
We also need to keep the Falklands cause in people’s minds overseas. I, along with Stephen Luxton, represented the Falklands at the United Nations last June and the Argentines were left in no doubt, as were the Committee of 24, of the views from the Falklands about the behaviour and claim by the Argentine Republic.
The economy is also very important. The next council will take over a budget and consolidated fund that, despite recent poor income from ilex, is in a healthy condition. Not knowing what the future brings, I would, if elected, be for a prudent approach to spending what, after all, is the taxpayer’s money.
In the private sector, building is doing well, but we really need a push on getting more serviced plots on line. The time is right for smaller plots.
The fishing industry generally welcomed the passing of the legislation that will enable local companies to prosper and that will have a knock on effect at the treasury.
Farming for wool is not doing so well at present, but there is optimism in beef, lamb and mutton production. I support continued sensible investment in agriculture.
I also very much support the ferry trial across the Sound. If we wait for the perfect vessel then we will wait a long time. I am confident that, given the right conditions, the West will benefit greatly from increased tourism (even townies may go there) and tourism brings income. Surely that has to be a good thing. And tourism is, of course, proving to be an ever increasing earner. This sector needs more investment and going by what we know, that investment will repay itself a lot sooner than some other projects have.
Underpinning the private sector are of course the public services. I see no need at all in privatising the key areas such as power and water. Falkland Island Government departments have, over the last four years, been faced with budget cuts. Some departments are now at a level which cannot take further cuts without affecting services. If re-elected I would take seriously any further reduction in departmental budgets. The medical and education departments are, in my mind, the two that, in the event of having to make further reductions in the overall FIG recurrent expenditure, should be least hit.
In the hospital, the dentistry department has gone through a rough patch. I’m pleased that they are now fully staffed. I am, however, not convinced that some of the dental charges are either fair or necessary. If elected, I would push for a review of these.
Education is one the big three in terms of spending. I would continue to support that level of spending as the future of the Falkland Islands is there. I think a mistake was made in stopping evening classes and would support a re-introduction.
I am particularly interested in assistance for childcare. Some people say it should be up to the parents. I agree that in an ideal World, Government would not be involved in provision towards preschool facilities because all women …. or men would stay at home and look after children until they went to school at the age of five. But we don’t live in an ideal World, do we? In modern Stanley the majority of parents work and there is a need, and in my opinion, a duty of Government to have some interest and involvement in assisting, financially and otherwise, with the provision of preschool childcare facilities.
The Leisure Centre comes under education. If elected I would propose the establishment of a leisure services committee. With the growing number of playgrounds, football pitches, other green areas and even the Town Hall, I think the time is right for some sort of overall body to oversee and have a real input into the decisions about the allocation of funding for recreational activities in Stanley.
Everybody standing for council will have a wish list of capital projects and I am no exception. But there is only a certain amount of funding available. If a councillor wants to get anything done, there have to be at least four other councillors in agreement.
- I still would like a new hostel. This would free up Stanley House and Grounds. Look at the Villiers Street Cul-de-sac. A job well done! There could be more.
- Why can’t we have a collection point on the Eliza Cove Road (south of the Agricultural Department), saving a trip to the dump and help recycling.
- More money spent on the Town Hall to make it what it should be, the centrepiece for civil entertainment in Stanley (with a lift).
There already is a list of projects. I support that list. Some of mine are minor and inexpensive.
Some other issues that I am interested in and consider important locally are:-
- No to a town council. There would just be an increase in bureaucracy.
- We should revisit the problem of traffic flow in the centre of Stanley. The clearway works but has put pressure on other streets and Barrack Street is a mess at certain times.
- The community should help those who need financial assistance, but at the moment there are some who seem to be taking advantage. I am not happy about that.
- There are changes in the constitution on the horizon. I want to see a lot more debate and public awareness before any changes are made.
- There is talk of a Council leader. I see no need for such a person for the foreseeable future.
There are advantages and disadvantages to being a previous councillor. If people think that you did a reasonable job you stand a chance of re-election. I consider myself to have been a hard working councillor and would like to continue representing the Falkland Islands. On election day, the 17th, please vote.
John Birmingham
Section 3:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
JOB VACANCY
Marine Engineer/Marine Electrical Engineer for regular sea-going duty and
on-shore works. On-shore duties will include attending vessels and other
workshop duties. Applicants must be fully STCW95 certificated, with current
proven sea-going experience, with valid and un-restricted ENG1 medical
certificate.
Salary in the range of £23500 per annum and dependent entirely upon the
ratio of seagoing and on-shore duties undertaken or completed.
Applications including CV and copies of all relevant certificates, and two
nominated referees should be sent to Lewis Clifton at Byron Holdings Ltd,
No. 3 "H" Jones Road, Stanley, to reach him on or before 16:00 hours 25th
November 2005.
The Falklands Gun Club AGM has been postponed to Monday, 14 November 2005 at 1900 in the Geography Room of the FICS. Further info can be obtained by phoning 22021 or 27285.
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Contributing Websites: http://www.falklandnews.com. http://www.tristantimes.com, http://www.the-islander.org.ac, http://www.sartma.com, http://www.news.co.sh, http://www.sgisland.org
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